Truth Unchanging 预览

The Gift of Peace

I have been afraid for most of my life. As I have come to learn more about the anxiety that often plagues my heart, I realize that it’s important for Christian women to bring it from the shadows. Anxiety stems from a number of sources, but the anxiety I face is the result of a genetic mutation that affects how my body functions. I know that Jesus can heal me just as He can heal a paralytic. But I would never ask a paralytic to walk in order to prove his faith in Jesus, and I would never tell a woman who suffers from anxiety to simply stop feeling afraid in order to prove that she believes in the miracle-working power of Jesus. 

Because of my anxiety, my feelings want me to believe that I should be afraid, when I know in my heart that the Lord is my protection. Peter experienced something similar. Just before going to the cross, Jesus gave His disciples a gift. Jesus told His friends, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

Yet, just hours later, out of fear for his life, Peter denied even knowing Jesus. Peter’s feelings caused him to act in a way that was contrary to what his heart knew to be true. 

The same thing can happen to us. Our lack of peace often means that we are choosing to believe our emotions rather than believe the Truth. We need to remember the gift. We need to listen as the Lord kindly reminds us, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Listen to Me. Focus on what is True. Focus on My love and My presence. Remember the gift of My peace. 

This is the starting place for our freedom—the gift of peace that is always available to us. 

Lord, we do not have any reason to fear, and yet our hearts can become anxious. Bring healing today. Bring hope today. Teach us how to use the give of peace we have been given. In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen.